Psyche
So for Freud, the psyche or the mind consists of a structure composed of three units: the id, which is the reservoir of all instinctual forces and energies, and which is merged with the physical organism; the ego, which forms mostly the functional self that is in direct contact with the external world; and the superego, which is the moral and ethical element of the ego.
The Void, p. 5 • discuss »
The Void, p. 5 • discuss »
Developmental psychology discovered that the psyche develops through a structuration process, as discussed in chapter 12, where we saw that the sense of being an individual with identity and character is a developmental achievement. Furthermore, repression is the function of some of the structures built in early childhood; this is an important element of the connection between structure and psychodynamics.
Structural issues appear in two types. The first is the kind of issue familiar in psychological and psychotherapeutic work. These are the conflicts and inadequacies reflecting difficulties in the development of ego structures. They include difficulties of identity, ego boundaries, ego weakness, superego malformations, issues regarding relating and merging, isolation, and so on. Psychologists call these structural difficulties, which can be so severe as to manifest in psychoses of various kinds. In fact, every ego has some malformation or inadequacy of structure, since no one is blessed with perfect parents or a completely untroubled developmental history.
The second type of structural issue that appears in the process of realization and essential development includes issues not normally seen as problematic by psychologists. These issues center around the fixation on structure itself, concern with the presence of and the need for such ego structures. Such structures, even the deepest and most primitive universal structures, as we saw in chapters 13 and 14, are inherently limiting to the soul's potential and liberation.
Inner Journey Home, p. 228 • discuss »
Inner Journey Home, p. 228 • discuss »
First, experience and recognition of true nature, regardless on what dimension of subtlety and completeness, do not automatically dissolve all ego structures. It is our observation that ego structures, and for that matter psychodynamic issues, are not affected directly by enlightenment experiences. This is due to the fact that these structures and issues have mostly unconscious underpinnings. Unconscious elements of the psyche are not impacted by conscious experience directly, except maybe in exposing them to consciousness in some occasions. These structures are impacted only by awareness of them and complete understanding of their content. The enlightenment experience may give the individual a greater detachment and presence that makes it easier for him or her to confront these structures and issues without becoming overwhelmed by them, and hence have a better opportunity to work through them. The greater presence that may result might make it easier for the individual to abide more in true nature, and this way have a greater detachment from the influence of the structures. But the structures will not self-destruct simply because the soul has seen the light.
Inner Journey Home, p. 194 • discuss »
Inner Journey Home, p. 194 • discuss »
Discuss Psyche
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- Pain
- Past
- Pattern
- Peace
- Pearl Beyond Price
- Perception
- Perfections
- Person
- Personal
- Personal Essence
- Personal Mind
- Personality
- Personality Sectors
- Personalization
- Perspective
- Physical Matter
- Platonic Form
- Point
- Positions
- Potential
- Practicing Period
- Prejudice
- Presence
- Primal Self
- Primary Self-Realization
- Process of Understanding
- Projection
- Psyche
- Psychic Impressions
- Psychic Metabolism
- Psychic Structure
- Psychodynamic Issues
- Psychological Constellations
- Psychopathology
- Psychotherapy
- Purpose
- Preferences
- Possessions
- Prayer
- Pomegranate
- Pea
- Pleasure
- Preciousness
- Power
